Influencer With 57 Million Followers Faces 'Digital Blackmail', Loses Rs 50 Lakh

Last Updated:October 23, 2025, 09:09 IST

A Madhya Pradesh influencer with 57 million followers, lost Rs 50 lakh to digital blackmailers threatening Instagram ban.

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A 28-year-old Instagram influencer and software engineer, Azim Ahmed, lost Rs 50 lakh after falling for a ‘digital blackmail’ scam. Cyber fraudsters threatened Ahmed with ‘Instagram strikes’ and told him that if he doesn’t pay, he will lose his followers. They also told him that his account will be “banned".

As per a report by NDTV, a Madhya Pradesh-based influencer filed a complaint with the Jabalpur Cyber Cell. However, the fraudsters remain at large. Ahmed said he had been receiving copyright strike threats for a year. The fraudsters claimed that his account would be deleted.

With over 96 active Instagram accounts and a combined follower base of 57 million, Azim runs one of India’s largest independently run social media networks. Through his firm, Whoopy Digital, he handles digital ad promotion. He helps brands in promoting their content online.

Multiple payments added up to Rs 50 lakh. Azim revealed that a caller from Pune demanded Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 to remove fake Instagram strikes.

First Such Case In Jabalpur

Jabalpur Cyber Cell in-charge, Neeraj Negi, was quoted by NDTV as saying that this is the first such case reported in the city. The fraudsters extorted money by threatening “fake content strikes".

He said that the fraudsters are exploiting Instagram’s automated content systems. Once a user receives multiple fake strikes, their account faces suspension.

Reportedly, Azim first created his Instagram page in 2017, and during the COVID-19 lockdown, his page quickly gained popularity, crossing two million followers by 2021. Subsequently, he made 96 accounts and gained a massive follower base.

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